Fake NBA Trade of the Day 5/5/16: Gasol to the Hornets

Every day, Pick and Popovich will post one fake trade and explain why it makes sense for every team involved to make it. There are no parameters beyond fitting within the salary cap. Sometimes the trades will involve stars, others role players. They are not grounded in actual rumors, they just make sense on paper. During the 2016 NBA Playoffs, each week will feature seven fake trades of one star player. This is Marc Gasol Week.

Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Charlotte Hornets Receive:

Frank Kaminsky Marc Gasol

Cody Zeller

2016 1st Round Pick

2018 1st Round Pick

Why Memphis would make this trade: Two young big men and two first round picks is not a bad haul for a 31-year-old center with injury issues, especially if one of them was just the 9th pick and can shoot from long-range. Adding Kaminsky would be ironic for Memphis, a team so dedicated to old-fashioned basketball in the past, but he’s a valuable prospect who could be a centerpiece in this type of trade.

Why Charlotte would make this trade: Gasol is perhaps the only center in basketball who improves spacing without shooting three-pointers. He’s that talented as a passer, which makes a major difference in any offense hampered by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Pairing those two on defense would be terrifying though, and Kemba Walker should be able to coax a decent enough offense out of Gasol, Nic Batum and Marvin Williams should the core of this year’s team remain in place. It’s a deep and versatile group that could compete for a championship right away.